Protective Guards for Columns and Other Structures

ABSTRACT

Protective guard devices are provided for protecting various structures, such as within a building or around a gas station fuel island. A pair of L-shaped guards may be provided to surround and protect a vertical column within a building. Each L-shaped guard may include a first wall and a second wall connected in generally perpendicular relationship. Each guard may include a plurality of connecting tabs, each having a bore hole adapted for receiving a bolt to secure each tab to a floor surface. A corner guard having a structure similar to an L-shaped guard may be provided to protect exterior corners of structures or items disposed in corners of buildings. U-shaped structures having a left wall, a front wall, and a right wall in a U-shaped configuration may be provided to protect vertically disposed items (e.g., plumbing pipes, electrical conduits, etc.) adjacent exterior walls of a building.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS 1. Field of the Inventions

The present inventions generally pertain to protective structures, and more particularly to guards for protecting columns and other structures.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is not unusual for buildings such as multi-level storage buildings and warehouses used in various commercial and other settings to include various physical items vertically situated therein. Examples of vertical structures may include vertical concrete columns or steel beams that form part of the structure of the building. These vertical structures might be interspersed throughout the interior spaces of the building and also along the periphery of the building, such as adjacent exterior building walls including in building corners. Other examples of items vertically disposed within open building structures such as storage buildings or warehouses might include pipes and electrical conduits, which again may be disposed in interior spaces and/or adjacent exterior walls of buildings. Other examples of vertically disposed items within such buildings may include internal walls, such as part of an internal room or office disposed within the building structure, which may include, for example, exterior corners. Still further examples of vertically disposed items may include elevated tanks, piping, and machinery supports.

It is also not uncommon for movable machinery such as fork-lifts to be used for various reasons within such building structures. It is inevitable that such movable machinery will come into contact with items vertically disposed within the building, examples of which are described above. Accordingly, there is a need and desire for protective guard structures to be constructed adjacent to and/or surrounding such vertically disposed items to act as a protective barrier or guard to prevent the movable machinery from coming into contact with the vertically disposed items, such as to prevent a fork-lift from contacting and damaging a concrete column.

Various patent publications exist that may be tangentially related to the above-described need, including for example: U.S. Pat. No. 4,019,301 to Fox entitled “Corrosion-Resistant Encasement For Structural Members”; U.S. Pat. No. 9,732,485 to McCue et al. entitled “Column Protector”; U.S. Pat. No. 10,648,175 to Ryan et al. entitled “Column Protector and Column Protection System”; United States Patent Application Publication No. US 2010/0024335 by Blanco entitled “Service Tower Base Installation and Protective Barrier Assembly Therefor”; and CN Patent No. CN 1080035280 entitled “Novel Concrete Base Safety Guard Device.” These items, however, do not satisfy the present need as described above.

There is thus a need for a solution that by virtue of its design and components would be able to address at least one of the above-mentioned needs, or overcome or at least minimize at least one of the above-mentioned drawbacks. As will become apparent from the description and explanation set forth below, the present inventions accomplish such solutions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONS

In one aspect, a specific embodiment of the present inventions may be a protective guard comprising: a front wall and a side wall disposed in generally perpendicular relationship and joined at a corner, the intersection of the front wall and the side wall defining a first angled wall at the corner, the first angled wall extending from a top surface of the corner to a first connecting tab formed adjacent a bottom edge of the corner, and the front wall having a left edge defining a second angled wall extending from a top surface of the front wall to a second connecting tab formed adjacent a bottom edge of the front wall. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that the first connecting tab may include an upper surface and a generally vertically-disposed passageway extending through the first connecting tab, and the second connecting tab may include an upper surface and a generally vertically-disposed passageway extending through the second connecting tab. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that the front wall and the side wall define an L-shaped cross section. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that the side wall may include a right edge defining a third angled wall extending from a top surface of the side wall to a third connecting tab formed adjacent a bottom edge of the side wall, the third connecting tab including an upper surface and a generally vertically-disposed passageway extending through the third connecting tab.

In another aspect, a specific embodiment of the present inventions may be a corner protective guard comprising: a front wall and a side wall disposed in generally perpendicular relationship to each other and joined to form a corner, the intersection of the front wall and the side wall defining a first angled wall at the corner, the first angled wall extending from a top surface of the corner to a first connecting tab formed adjacent a bottom edge of the corner, the front wall having a left edge defining a second angled wall extending from a top surface of the front wall to a second connecting tab formed adjacent a bottom edge of the front wall, and the side wall including a right edge defining a third angled wall extending from a top surface of the side wall to a third connecting tab formed adjacent a bottom edge of the side wall. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that the first connecting tab may include an upper surface and a generally vertically-disposed passageway extending through the first connecting tab, the second connecting tab may include an upper surface and a generally vertically-disposed passageway extending through the second connecting tab, and the third connecting tab may include an upper surface and a generally vertically-disposed passageway extending through the third connecting tab.

In another aspect, a specific embodiment of the present inventions may be a corner protective guard comprising: a left wall, a front wall, and a right wall, the left wall joined in generally perpendicular relationship to a left edge of the front wall to form a left corner, the right wall joined in generally perpendicular relationship to a right edge of the front wall to form a right corner, a first angled wall disposed adjacent a left edge of the left wall and extending from a top surface of the left wall to a first connecting tab formed adjacent a bottom edge of the left wall, a second angled wall disposed adjacent the left corner and extending from a top surface of the left corner to a second connecting tab formed adjacent the bottom edge of the left wall, a third angled wall disposed adjacent the right corner and extending from a top surface of the right corner to a third connecting tab formed adjacent a bottom edge of the right wall, and a fourth angled wall disposed adjacent a right edge of the right wall and extending from a top surface of the right wall to a fourth connecting tab formed adjacent the bottom edge of the right wall. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that the first connecting tab may include an upper surface and a generally vertically-disposed passageway extending through the first connecting tab, the second connecting tab may include an upper surface and a generally vertically-disposed passageway extending through the second connecting tab, the third connecting tab may include an upper surface and a generally vertically-disposed passageway extending through the third connecting tab, and the fourth connecting tab may include an upper surface and a generally vertically-disposed passageway extending through the fourth connecting tab. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that the left wall, the front wall, and the right wall may define a generally U-shaped cross section.

In another aspect, a specific embodiment of the present inventions may be a protective guard comprising: a left wall, a front wall, and a right wall, the left wall joined in generally perpendicular relationship to a left edge of the front wall to form a left corner, the right wall joined in generally perpendicular relationship to a right edge of the front wall to form a right corner, a first angled wall disposed adjacent the left corner and extending from a top surface of the left corner to a first connecting tab formed adjacent a bottom edge of the left wall, and a second angled wall disposed adjacent the right corner and extending from a top surface of the right corner to a second connecting tab formed adjacent a bottom edge of the right wall. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that the first connecting tab may include an upper surface and a generally vertically-disposed passageway extending through the first connecting tab, and the second connecting tab may include an upper surface and a generally vertically-disposed passageway extending through the second connecting tab. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that the left wall, the front wall, and the right wall may define a generally U-shaped cross section.

Other features, aspects and advantages of the present inventions will become apparent from the following discussion and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating two identically-shaped precast concrete half guard sections resting on a floor surface and in the process of being positioned to protect a column.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the half guard sections now moved into position to surround the column and in the process of being secured to the floor surface.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view similar to FIGS. 1 and 2, but now showing the half guard sections secured to the floor surface.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a front view of one a half guard section.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a back view of the half guard section shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the half guard sections shown in FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 7 is an elevation view of a front side of the half guard section shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an elevation view of a right side of the half guard section shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 9 is top plan view of what is shown in FIG. 3 and illustrates two half guards secured to the floor surface and disposed around a column to be protected.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a corner embodiment of a half guard constructed in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present inventions.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a front side of the half guard shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a back side of the half guard shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of a U-corner embodiment of a guard constructed in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present inventions.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a front side of the guard shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a back side of the guard shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of a face guard embodiment of a guard constructed in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present inventions.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a front side of the face guard shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a back side of the face guard shown in FIGS. 16 and 17.

While the inventions will be described in connection with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the scope of protection is not intended to limit the inventions to those embodiments. On the contrary, the scope of protection is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the inventions as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals denote identical elements throughout the several views, and referring initially to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view illustrating two half guard sections 10 and 12 resting on a floor surface 14 (e.g., a concrete slab) and in the process of being positioned to protect a column 16. In a specific embodiment, the half guard sections 10 and 12 may comprise precast concrete structures. In a specific embodiment, the half guard sections 10 and 12 may be identically shaped. A building structure such as a multi-level storage building or warehouse may have numerous columns 16 on each floor of the structure that are exposed to potential damage, such as by fork-lifts or other vehicles moving around within the building. Referring now to FIG. 2, the half guard sections 10 and 12 have been moved into position to surround the column 16 and are in the process of being secured to the floor surface 14 with anchor bolts 18. FIG. 3 illustrates the half guard sections 10 and 12 secured to the floor surface 14 with anchor bolts 18.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a perspective view of a front side of the half guard sections 10/12 is shown. In a specific embodiment, each half guard section 10/12 may have a generally “L” shaped cross section, and may include a front wall 20 and a side wall 22. In a specific embodiment, the front wall 20 and the side wall 22 may be disposed in generally perpendicular relationship, and join at a corner 24. In a specific embodiment, each half guard section 10/12 may include a first angled wall 26 that may be positioned at the corner 24 and may extend from a top surface 28 of the half guard section 10/12 to a first connecting tab 30 formed adjacent a bottom edge 32 of the half guard section 10/12. The first connecting tab 30 may include an upper surface 34 and a generally vertically-disposed passageway 36 through the first connecting tab 30 adapted for receiving an anchor bolt 18 as described above. A left edge 38 of the front wall 20 may be provided with a second angled wall 40 extending from the top surface 28 to a second connecting tab 42 formed adjacent the bottom edge 32. The second connecting tab 42 may include an upper surface 44 and a generally vertically-disposed passageway 46 through the second connecting tab 42 adapted for receiving an anchor bolt 18 as described above.

The half guard sections 10/12 may be formed from any material and in any dimensions. In a specific embodiment, each half guard section 10/12 may have an overall height of approximately forty-two inches. In a specific embodiment, the thickness of the front wall 20 and the side wall 22 may be approximately eight inches. In a specific embodiment, each of the first and second connecting tabs 30 and 42 may have a height of approximately six inches, and a depth from outside corner to their respective angled wall 26 and 40 of approximately five inches. In a specific embodiment, each passageway 36 and 46 may be circular and have a diameter of approximately one inch. In a specific embodiment, the respective widths of the front wall 20 and the side wall 22 may be sized according to the size of the column 16 or other structure to be protected.

As mentioned above, various embodiments, guard shapes, and applications are contemplated and intended to be encompassed by the present inventions. One application mentioned above is directed to protection of columns or other structures located in an interior corner of a building or room. Referring now to FIGS. 10-12, a corner guard 48 is illustrated. In a specific embodiment, the corner guard 48 may be constructed similarly to the half guards 10/12 described above. In a specific embodiment, a front wall 49 and a side wall 51 of the corner guard 48 may have the same width. In a specific embodiment, one difference may be that a right edge 50 of the side wall 51 may be provided with a third angled wall 52 extending from a top surface 53 of the corner guard 48 to a third connecting tab 54 formed adjacent a bottom edge 46 of the corner guard 48. The third connecting tab 54 may include an upper surface 58 and a generally vertically-disposed passageway 60 through the third connecting tab 54 adapted for receiving an anchor bolt 18 as described above. In use, the corner guard 48 is positioned in a corner of a building or room around a structure to be protected (e.g., an I-beam column), and then connected to the floor surface at three locations. Another use for the corner guard 48 may be for use for example at the corners of a small office structure (e.g., a manager's office) located on one of the floors within a warehouse. Another use of a corner guard 48 may be around fuel islands at a gas station.

In another specific embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 13-15, a U-corner guard 62 may be provided with a generally “U” shaped cross section, and may include a left wall 64, a front wall 66, and a right wall 68. The left wall 64 may be joined in perpendicular relationship to a left edge 70 of the front wall 66 to form a left corner 72. The right wall 68 may be joined in perpendicular relationship to a right edge 74 of the front wall 66 to form a right corner 76.

In a specific embodiment, a left edge 78 of the left wall 64 may be provided with a first angled wall 80 extending from a top surface 82 of the U-corner guard 62 to a first connecting tab 84 formed adjacent a bottom edge 86 of the U-corner guard 62. The first connecting tab 84 may include an upper surface 88 and a generally vertically-disposed passageway 90 through the first connecting tab 84 adapted for receiving an anchor bolt 18 as described above.

In a specific embodiment, the left corner 72 may be provided with a second angled wall 92 extending from the top surface 82 of the U-corner guard 62 to a second connecting tab 94 formed adjacent the bottom edge 86 of the U-corner guard 62. The second connecting tab 94 may include an upper surface 96 and a generally vertically-disposed passageway 98 through the second connecting tab 94 adapted for receiving an anchor bolt 18 as described above.

In a specific embodiment, the right corner 76 may be provided with a third angled wall 100 extending from the top surface 82 of the U-corner guard 62 to a third connecting tab 102 formed adjacent the bottom edge 86 of the U-corner guard 62. The third connecting tab 102 may include an upper surface 104 and a generally vertically-disposed passageway 106 through the third connecting tab 102 adapted for receiving an anchor bolt 18 as described above.

In a specific embodiment, a right edge 108 of the right wall 68 may be provided with a fourth angled wall 110 extending from a top surface 82 of the U-corner guard 62 to a fourth connecting tab 112 formed adjacent a bottom edge 86 of the U-corner guard 62. The fourth connecting tab 112 may include an upper surface 114 and a generally vertically-disposed passageway 116 through the fourth connecting tab 112 adapted for receiving an anchor bolt 18 as described above.

In another specific embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 16-18, a face guard 118 may be provided with a generally “U” shaped cross section, and may include a left wall 120, a front wall 122, and a right wall 124. The left wall 120 may be joined in perpendicular relationship to a left edge 126 of the front wall 122 to form a left corner 128. The right wall 124 may be joined in perpendicular relationship to a right edge 130 of the front wall 122 to form a right corner 132.

In a specific embodiment, the left corner 128 may be provided with a first angled wall 134 extending from a top surface 136 of the face guard 118 to a first connecting tab 138 formed adjacent a bottom edge 140 of the face guard 118. The first connecting tab 138 may include an upper surface 142 and a generally vertically-disposed passageway 144 through the first connecting tab 138 adapted for receiving an anchor bolt 18 as described above.

In a specific embodiment, the right corner 132 may be provided with a second angled wall 146 extending from the top surface 136 of the face guard 118 to a second connecting tab 148 formed adjacent the bottom edge 140 of the face guard 118. The second connecting tab 148 may include an upper surface 150 and a generally vertically-disposed passageway 152 through the second connecting tab 148 adapted for receiving an anchor bolt 18 as described above.

In a specific embodiment, the U-corner guard 62 and the face guard 118 may be placed, for example, against a wall to enclose and protect items such as piping, valves, electrical boxes, ducts, conduit, or other utilities running along the wall. The various embodiments of guards described herein could have many applications in a variety of industrial and manufacturing facilities, and are not limited to the examples included herein.

It is to be understood that the inventions disclosed herein are not limited to the exact details of construction, operation, exact materials or embodiments shown and described. Although specific embodiments of the inventions have been described, various modifications, alterations, alternative constructions, and equivalents are also encompassed within the scope of the inventions. Although the present inventions may have been described using a particular series of steps, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the scope of the present inventions is not limited to the described series of steps. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. It will be evident that additions, subtractions, deletions, and other modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the inventions as set forth in the claims set forth below. Accordingly, the inventions are therefore to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A protective guard comprising: a front wall and a side wall disposed in generally perpendicular relationship and joined at a corner, the intersection of the front wall and the side wall defining a first angled wall at the corner, the first angled wall extending from a top surface of the corner to a first connecting tab formed adjacent a bottom edge of the corner, and the front wall having a left edge defining a second angled wall extending from a top surface of the front wall to a second connecting tab formed adjacent a bottom edge of the front wall.
 2. The protective guard of claim 1, wherein the first connecting tab includes an upper surface and a generally vertically-disposed passageway extending through the first connecting tab, and the second connecting tab includes an upper surface and a generally vertically-disposed passageway extending through the second connecting tab.
 3. The protective guard of claim 1, wherein the front wall and the side wall define an L-shaped cross section.
 4. The protective guard of claim 1, wherein the side wall includes a right edge defining a third angled wall extending from a top surface of the side wall to a third connecting tab formed adjacent a bottom edge of the side wall, the third connecting tab including an upper surface and a generally vertically-disposed passageway extending through the third connecting tab.
 5. A corner protective guard comprising: a front wall and a side wall disposed in generally perpendicular relationship to each other and joined to form a corner, the intersection of the front wall and the side wall defining a first angled wall at the corner, the first angled wall extending from a top surface of the corner to a first connecting tab formed adjacent a bottom edge of the corner, the front wall having a left edge defining a second angled wall extending from a top surface of the front wall to a second connecting tab formed adjacent a bottom edge of the front wall, and the side wall including a right edge defining a third angled wall extending from a top surface of the side wall to a third connecting tab formed adjacent a bottom edge of the side wall.
 6. The corner protective guard of claim 5, wherein the first connecting tab includes an upper surface and a generally vertically-disposed passageway extending through the first connecting tab, the second connecting tab includes an upper surface and a generally vertically-disposed passageway extending through the second connecting tab, and the third connecting tab includes an upper surface and a generally vertically-disposed passageway extending through the third connecting tab.
 7. A protective guard comprising: a left wall, a front wall, and a right wall, the left wall joined in generally perpendicular relationship to a left edge of the front wall to form a left corner, the right wall joined in generally perpendicular relationship to a right edge of the front wall to form a right corner, a first angled wall disposed adjacent a left edge of the left wall and extending from a top surface of the left wall to a first connecting tab formed adjacent a bottom edge of the left wall, a second angled wall disposed adjacent the left corner and extending from a top surface of the left corner to a second connecting tab formed adjacent the bottom edge of the left wall, a third angled wall disposed adjacent the right corner and extending from a top surface of the right corner to a third connecting tab formed adjacent a bottom edge of the right wall, and a fourth angled wall disposed adjacent a right edge of the right wall and extending from a top surface of the right wall to a fourth connecting tab formed adjacent the bottom edge of the right wall.
 8. The corner protective guard of claim 7, wherein the first connecting tab includes an upper surface and a generally vertically-disposed passageway extending through the first connecting tab, the second connecting tab includes an upper surface and a generally vertically-disposed passageway extending through the second connecting tab, the third connecting tab includes an upper surface and a generally vertically-disposed passageway extending through the third connecting tab, and the fourth connecting tab includes an upper surface and a generally vertically-disposed passageway extending through the fourth connecting tab.
 9. The protective guard of claim 7, wherein the left wall, the front wall, and the right wall define a generally U-shaped cross section.
 10. (canceled)
 11. (canceled)
 12. (canceled) 